On the road again…
We had the opportunity to attend the annual PGA of BC Trade Show last week in Penticton, B.C.  This was the middle leg of our trip after visits to Tobiano Golf Course and Black Mountain Golf Club to start the week.  We arrived in Penticton and checked into the Penticton Lakeside Casino and Resort then headed down to the Barking Parrot for some networking.  Following that we went to the Hooded Merganser for some dinner with industry friends.

Showcase of New Product
The annual trade show was as expected with a variety of new products being showcased to retailers.  While there was the standard fare of new technology in equipment on display, the greatest products seemed to be in the accessories category.  In particular the G&G Golf Company seemed to have some great corporate additions with the expansion of options to their custom golf bag line, but in particular for us was the inovative corporate golf glove line that features full logo options right on the back of the glove.  It is a sure winner for a low cost tee gift for your next corporate event.  G & G also showed stainless steel water bottles that could also be customized.  Club Car had many inovative options for managing your golf car fleet including the new Guardian system which seemed to be a big attraction for Professionals, Owners and Operators.

Honoring the Award Winners
CK Golf Solutions would like to congratulate the award winners for the PGA of BC in 2009; Norm Jackson, Head Professional at Cowichan Golf & Country Club; Aaron Grice, Assistant Professional at the Bear Mountain Resort; Teaching Professional Robert Ratcliffe at Crown Isle Resort; Junior Promoter Lindsay Jackson at Two Eagles Golf Course; Sales Representative for Tournament Sports; Facility of the Year Fairview Mountain, Head Professional Brian McDonald; Golf Shop of the Year, Seymour Golf & Country Club, Head Professional Dale Schienbein.

PGA of BC Trade Show Wrap-up
Overall while we may be in a down economy and the overall exibitors and trade show numbers appeared to be lower then previous years, the vendors seemed to have a different take.  With less people, the exibitors seemed satisfied with the buyers who were there as most were filling orders and less of the “tire kickers” showed up.  So it seems we can deem the show a reasonable success in tough times!

One Change is Needed…Final Thought
This was the year the PGA of BC decided to follow their counter parts in Alberta and move from the formal dinner to the stand up reception the PGA of Alberta uses.  However, hosting the awards in a long skinny hallway with only speakers at the front made it difficult to hear the winners and many attendees seemed to lose themselves in conversation rather then celebrating the winners.  Unlike Alberta, BC choose to charge $40 for appies and two beverarges that were $12 last year at the wine tasting.  Overall the concept needs to be reworked and while the dinner had its flaws with service in the past, it was nice to see people once a year make the efforts to dress up for the one formal function where the golf industry gets together.

We are looking forward to the formal dinner for the BC Golf House & Museum Hall of Fame on Thursday!  Dick Zokel, Jackie Little, Steve Berry and Alison Murdoch will be inducted.  Should be a great night.

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